The Babies Website

The Midwife dose a general check looking at the baby’s colour (looking for signs of jaundice) eyes, skin condition. She will check the umbilical cord to make sure there are no signs of infection and advice you of the appropriate care. You will be asked about your baby’s feeding; how often and for how long they feed. The Midwife will also check to see the baby is peeing and pooing. It is a good idea to write down when your baby feeds, pees and poo’s as you can see a pattern developing and it makes it easier when you are asked these questions. The Midwife will be able to assess your baby’s well being and be able to advise/ support you on care.

The Midwife will check how you are getting on and be able to give advise with any concerns you may have. The first weeks are very busy and tiring so it is important to look after you. You can do this by ensuring you eat a balanced diet, which is especially important to recover from the birth and for breastfeeding. Resting when the baby sleeps during the day will also help you to catch up on sleep lost during the night. She will check the uterus is involuting i.e. returning to its non-pregnant state. She will assess your bleeding and advise what is "normal". It is common to have a heavier blood loss after breastfeeding as the hormone released to expel the milk also works to contract the uterus so aid the involution. Breasts care. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, you will still need to take care of the breasts. The Midwife will be able to advise you and give you support with feeding your baby. Perineum care. Depending on your birth you may have sustained some grazing or a tear/episiotmy. The Midwife will assess the healing perineum and give practical advice to assist the healing process. Caesarean sections. The abdominal wound will be checked daily to assess the healing. It is important to remember that a caesarean section is major abdominal surgery and you will need to reframe from lifting and driving for a period of approximately six weeks to assist the healing process. Discuss this with your midwife. Bladder care. After the birth you may experience some stringing when passes water. This is quite usual, as the urine will string a grazed/stitch perineum. Best to drink plenty of water as this will dilute the urine so it dose not string so much, or you can pour a jug of warm water over the area when you pee or pee in the bath. Important to start practising your pelvic floor exercises after the birth. This will help to improve your bladder control by strengthen the muscles.

On returning home with your baby you will be visited by the Community Midwife for the first 10 days (up until 28 days) after the baby’s birth. During this period the midwife will normally visit you daily but you can request visits alternate days if all is going well.

This is the name of the operation used to deliver the baby through the abdomen. An elective caesarean may be recommended for reasons such as a very low placenta, breech presentation etc. Alternatively an emergency caesarean may be recommended if either mother or baby condition indicates during the labour. Usually you would have an epidural anaesthetic when you would be awake for the operation. It is less common to have a general anaesthetic when you would be asleep for the operation. In both instances the procedure is the same, you will have a drip in your hand and a catheter inserted into your bladder. But in the case of emergency caesarean section the preparation will be more hurried and this can be frightening. It is good idea to talk to the midwife and/or doctor involved in your care so you fully understand what was done and why," debriefing".